excruciating

[ ik-skroo-shee-ey-ting ]

adjective

1. extremely painful; causing intense suffering; unbearably distressing; torturing: excruciating pain.

   an excruciating noise;

   excruciating pain.

   Synonyms: unendurable, racking, agonizing, insufferable, unbearable

2. exceedingly elaborate or intense; extreme:

   done with excruciating care.

excruciating

/ ɪkˈskruːʃɪˌeɪtɪŋ /

adjective

1. unbearably painful; agonizing
2. intense; extreme

   he took excruciating pains to do it well

3. informal.
   irritating; trying
4. humorous.
   very bad

   an excruciating pun

Derived Forms

• exˈcruciˌatingly, adverb

Other Words From

• ex·cruci·ating·ly adverb
• unex·cruci·ating adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of excruciating¹

First recorded in 1655–65; excruciat(e) + -ing ²

Example Sentences

PC Coates felt "the most excruciating pain" and realised he was "savagely biting" her arm.

From BBC

Mr O'Hara said he immediately felt an "excruciating pain" but his visitor told him that was a normal reaction, then left in a hurry.

From BBC

But thankfully, the excruciating dating show concludes just as abruptly as it begins.

From Salon

It's been 10 months since my family left Gaza but we continue to live with the loss, the pain, the impact of the war in all its excruciating detail.

From BBC

No wonder he’s considered the greatest Dodgers pitcher of all time and no wonder he was forced to retire a year later because of excruciating arm pain.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• acute
• agonizing
• exquisite
• grueling
• harrowing
• intense
• searing
• severe
• unbearable